CHRISTCHURCH council has unanimously thrown its weight behind a proposal for a combined authority in Dorset.

Members support comes weeks after serious concerns were expressed over the scheme by Dorset County Council's audit and scrutiny committee.

Council leaders were told to re-think the controversial plans, after it some councils were understood to have withdrawn from four of the eight key policy areas, including transport and shared planning.

The proposal is for all nine principal councils to work together - through a new body - on strategic issues like transport, economic growth, planning and education and skills.

At a meeting of the full council at Christchurch, members said the proposed authority would give them a greater voice on issues including transport.

Leader, Cllr Ray Nottage, proposed the recommendations for members support.

Speaking in favour of the plans, Cllr David Jones, said: "I think it is no exaggeration to say this is one of the most important items that will come before us."

Referring to the lack of major transport schemes in Christchurch over the years, he said: "This area has been neglected.

"We need to work with our neighbours without losing our sovereignty.

"This is not merging authorities; it is not losing our authority. We have to learn to do more with less.

"We will gain influence and authority; this is the way forward."

Independent, Cllr Colin Bungey, said: "I think we have very little option but to proceed.

"I do not know what's going to happen with the other nine councils but that should happen.

"We need to protect ourselves for what we put into this."

Cllr Claire Bath, portfolio holder for the economy, added: "I am particularly pleased that Christchurch will have one vote alongside all the other members."

The recommendations include delegating authority to the chief executive in consultation with the leader over the scheme and submission to Government.

A budget of £9,630 has been approved to cover the council's contribution towards the running costs of the authority.

The nine authorities were given £750,000 by the government last year to explore the idea.

In the meantime, the four council leaders in Bournemouth, Christchurch, East Dorset and Poole have been working behind the scenes for a single tier 'super council' in south east Dorset, possibly coming in as early as 2019.